Outdoor play and learning
Childcare environments should positively support children to access play and learning opportunities that benefit their development, health, wellbeing and happiness.
One of the Health and Social Care Standards says ‘As a child, my social and physical skills, confidence, self-esteem and creativity are developed through a balance of organised and freely chosen extended play, including using open ended and natural materials’.
Every child plays – playfulness is a distinct feature of behaviour across generations and cultures. Playing generates a culture of childhood.
Download our resources below to help with outdoor play and learning in your setting.
Space to Grow and Thrive
Space to Grow and Thrive builds on the previous Space to Grow resource and incorporates the lessons learned from the expansion programme along with the pandemic and feedback from the sector. This resource aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date framework for planning, designing and delivering high-quality ELC and SACC settings that support children’s wellbeing, learning and development.
Out to Play
This guide is an important step towards increasing outdoor play and learning for Scotland’s children. It provides practical advice and guidance on how to utilise local greenspace and how to set up good quality outdoor early learning and child care and out of school care settings.
My World Outdoors
My World Outdoors highlights the benefits of outdoor play for children attending early learning and childcare.
My Active World
My Active World offers a wealth of fun ways to be physically active. By highlighting examples of good practice, we aim to promote a culture where everyone can learn from each other.